Downtown won't start

[ScooterWolf]

Hey everyone!

It's been while since I've posted here. My 2013 DT isn't starting. I suspect it's the battery but after placing it on a trickle charger and getting a fully charge reading it still fails to turn over. In the process of trying to get it to turn over I fear I may have damage the starter. Lately when I've tried again
on a warm day sometimes there's no activity when I push the start button. 

Nothing.

I press the brake again, give a little gas on the throttle, and then the engine tires to start, but fails to turn over. Today I checked the battery within a digital multimeter and saw a good reading of about 12.75 volts.

If the battery is okay, should I suspect the starter, or look at other possibilities like the spark plug first?

Wolf

[CROSSBOLT]

Hey everyone!

It's been while since I've posted here. My 2013 DT isn't starting. I suspect it's the battery but after placing it on a trickle charger and getting a fully charge reading it still fails to turn over. In the process of trying to get it to turn over I fear I may have damage the starter. Lately when I've tried again
on a warm day sometimes there's no activity when I push the start button. 

Nothing.

I press the brake again, give a little gas on the throttle, and then the engine tires to start, but fails to turn over. Today I checked the battery within a digital multimeter and saw a good reading of about 12.75 volts.

If the battery is okay, should I suspect the starter, or look at other possibilities like the spark plug first?

Wolf

No load battery votage looks really good BUT what is the voltage while cranking? It must be higher than 9.5 volts or you get no spark. I agree it is probably the battery BUT it could be something else.
I have had two identical 2013 DT300i scoots and typical of most Kymco electrical and start systems these are on the edge of being too light in capability.

Verify volts while cranking to start first. At least we can rule it out as a cause and look to plugged injector next.

[ScooterWolf]

Verify volts while cranking to start first. At least we can rule it out as a cause and look to plugged injector next.

Thanks for the advice. By this I get a reading while trying to start it? The weather’s getting warmer this week, so hopefully this Tuesday I can give it another try.

Wolf

[CROSSBOLT]

Thanks for the advice. By this I get a reading while trying to start it? The weather’s getting warmer this week, so hopefully this Tuesday I can give it another try.

Wolf

Yes. Hook  the volt meter to the battery or convenience outlet and observe what the reading is while it cranks over 3 to 5 revolutions.

[ScooterWolf]

Yes. Hook  the volt meter to the battery or convenience outlet and observe what the reading is while it cranks over 3 to 5 revolutions.

Thanks Karl. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Wolf

[Neil955i]

I have had two identical 2013 DT300i scoots and typical of most Kymco electrical and start systems these are on the edge of being too light in capability.

Verify volts while cranking to start first. At least we can rule it out as a cause and look to plugged injector next.

Let's open a book.  My money's on the battery being sub optimal, especially if it's more than 3 years old.

[CROSSBOLT]

Let's open a book.  My money's on the battery being sub optimal, especially if it's more than 3 years old.

Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen! The race starts in five minutes! We have the favorite "Battery Babe" on the pole and  "Bad Connection" as the long shot! Place yer bets!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Battery.

Stig

[ScooterWolf]

All right the test results are in. Tested the battery while trying to start the bike. The readings ran from 10.99 - 11.95. Looks like my battery isn’t holding a full charging.

Np problem on getting a new one, especially if this is the problem. Any recommendations?

- Wolf

[CROSSBOLT]

All right the test results are in. Tested the battery while trying to start the bike. The readings ran from 10.99 - 11.95. Looks like my battery isn’t holding a full charging.

Np problem on getting a new one, especially if this is the problem. Any recommendations?

- Wolf

No! Those voltages are GREAT if your meter ain't lying to you! Anything above 9.5 volts will produce a spark. It may be a good idea to get a new battery since yours is 3+ years old BUT your volts read while cranking tends to let the battery off the hook.

Personally, my next move would be to pull the spark plug and verify it is sparking. I am assuming you have already checked run/stop and side stand switches and that the tach and speedo and fuel pump do their dance.

[ScooterWolf]

Personally, my next move would be to pull the spark plug and verify it is sparking. I am assuming you have already checked run/stop and side stand switches and that the tach and speedo and fuel pump do their dance.

For some reason I thought that a rating below 12.0 was bad for a battery. I’m not a mechanic so checking the fuel pump is outside my wheel house, but testing the spark plug seems do-able. What’s required to check it?

- Wolf

[CROSSBOLT]

For some reason I thought that a rating below 12.0 was bad for a battery. I’m not a mechanic so checking the fuel pump is outside my wheel house, but testing the spark plug seems do-able. What’s required to check it?

- Wolf

No load test of battery fully charged should be 12.6 volts.
Voltage while trying to start a DT300i MUST BE ABOVE 9.5 volts.

All right the test results are in. Tested the battery while trying to start the bike. The readings ran from 10.99 - 11.95. Looks like my battery isn’t holding a full charging.

Np problem on getting a new one, especially if this is the problem. Any recommendations?

- Wolf

Now which?

[ScooterWolf]

I’ve heard checking for a bad spark plug may just require a visual inspection of the plug. If so, what are the signs of a bad one  - soot, or blackened corrosion? Or are there other methods for testing it?

-Wolf

[CROSSBOLT]

I’ve heard checking for a bad spark plug may just require a visual inspection of the plug. If so, what are the signs of a bad one  - soot, or blackened corrosion? Or are there other methods for testing it?

-Wolf

Not yet. Please clear up the voltage puzzle first....

[Stig / Major Tom]

If that's a 9 yr old plug in there, I'd swing by your local auto parts store and buy a new one...should be about $7 or $8.
Stig